Railway hatch cover and locking means therefor



2 Sheets-Sheet l F. DITCHFIELD Filed March 9, 1944 March 27, 1945.

March 27, 1945. F, D|TCHF|ELD i 2,372,369

RAILWAY HATCH COVER AND LOCKING MEANS THEREFOR Filed March 9, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 27, 1945 lorurali nArLwAY HATCH covnn' hun LOCKING' MEANS manson i Frank meeneem, cleveland, oma'assignor to The 'Youngstown Steel Door'Company, Cleveland, A A Ohio, a eorporationof Ohio,

appueaupnmarch 9. 1944, serial No. 525.778 13 claims. .ratios- 477) This invention relates to hatch and lock-A ing means therefor and morev particularly to hatch covers and locking means for covered railway hopper cars.

It is an object"of iventil to mvide. hatch covers particularly adapted for covered' railway hopperl cars and means for locking'a' series of covers by the operationofa single lverfvr 't characterized by a, substantial reductionin 'the number of parts required-,

A further Qbject is to provide natcnzevrs particularly adapted for covered railway hopper cars and locking' means thereforvwhicli shall j afford absolute lsafety of operation.

A further object is' to provide hatch covers so constructed as to embody 'locking means. V,

A further object is to provid hat`:l1" covers and means operable forrlocking Va series vof covers wherein each cover in a series is adapted tol be locked upon its frame independently of the re-4 maining covers. l

A further object is to provide hatch covers and means for imparting movement to said 'covers for locking and unlocking the same.

as the description thereof proceeds.

and number of hatches will 'generally be repeated on the portion of the roof not illustrated which complements thevportion that is illustrated.

Loading of the hopper car takes place through the 'hatches I3 each of which is provided with a hatch frame I entirely surrounding the hatch. The hatchframe maybe of any desired con-A struction and may be secured to the roof around the 'hatch in anydesired manner.l Each of the hatch framesjis provided lwith a member I6 at the upperv portion of the frame extending around the frame and providing means for weatherproofingthe frame and a seat-for a hatch cover I1. As

Amore-clearly illustrated in FigsfZ4 and'3 of the drawings, the member I6 is substantially channel-shaped insection and comprises a web' I8 by meansof which the member is secured to the hatch frame, a lower -flange I 9 extending out- In the drawings forming part of this speci-v t iication: r

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a portion of a roof of a covered hopper car showing a series of hatches.

covers therefor, and means for locking the covers.

embodying the instant invention.

Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. l' showing a cover in closed and locked position.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. '2 showing ,the cover in closed and unlocked position and the corresponding position of' an operating lever and in dot and dashlines the position of the cover wnen open.

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. l. Fig. 5 is a partial section similar to Fig. 2 showing another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings; the numeral IIl designates a portion of a covered railway hopper car provided with a roof designated generally by the reference numeral II. The roof carries the usual running board I2 and is provided with a plurality of hatches I3 which, as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, are disposed in longi` tudinally spaced relationship between the' running board I2 and the eaves I4 of the roof. It is to be understood that while `f our hatches are illustrated in Fig. 1 ofthe drawings the 'number may bev-more or less than illustrated, and it is to --;.be further understood that the arrangement wardly from the web substantially at aright angle thereto andan upper downwardly inclined ilange 20.' The hatch covers -IIfare adapted to be supf ported when in closed position upon the ange 20 ofthe member IB.,

With reference to Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawings, it will be seen that each hatch cover I1, which is preferably formed of sheet metal, is provided with-depending 'anges 2l along its side edges, a depending flange 22'aiong its inneredge,` and a depending ange 23 along its outer edge. These flanges 2|, 22, and 23 terminate, as more clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawings, closely-adjacent to the outwardly directed ange I9 of`the member I6 and cooperate therewith to aid in excluding the elements from entering the hatches. Any elements which may pass between the depending flanges on the hatch cover and the ilange I9 of the -member I6 will be trapped by the downwardly inclined ange 20 of the member 6I so as to prevent such elements from entering the hatches.- From Fig. 2 of the drawings it will be seen that the hatch covers are supported upon`the downwardly inclined ange 20 strap Zklsormed with a return nange 26 which is extended inwardly of the outer edge lof the cover. To permit such extension theouter depending flange 23 of each of the covers is provided with a lplurality of slots 21 through which the return anges 26 of the hinge strapsl project so as to lie-between the flanges I9and 20 of the the lever 3i toward himself,

covers I1 by means of a plurality of brackets 29 secured to the hatch frames I5. The shaft 28 which is preferably rectangular in section except where it is iournalled in the brackets 29 has a plurality of cams 30. eccentrically mounted thereon. As illustrated, two cams are utilized for each cover. The cams 30 are received within the collars formed on the inner portions of the hinge straps 24 so that the collars are adapted to swing upon the cams. A lever 3| is secured stop lugs 31 and the position of the lever and the position of the hatch covers is then as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings in full lines. From this gure, it will be seen that the return flanges 26 on the hinge straps 24 have been fully disengaged from the downwardly inclined ilange 20 along the outer edge of the hatchframes. so that the hatch covers may then lie-swung about thez-,x'aams 30 by means of handles 38 to the open position indi cated by the dot and dash lines. When Ait is desired to close they are first swung about the cams tothe position 'shown in Fig. 3 of the-drawings.` The lever '3l is thenpushed .downwardly and the resulting rotation to Athe shaft and the cams 38 'motionof translation to the covers 1in the @opposite direction Aso as to again bring'aboutthe-locking relationship between the to the shaft 28 in any desired manner for the purpose of imparting rotation thereto and to the cams .30 which rotate appears from Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

with the shaft. As clearlythe lever 3l extends towards the eaves of the roof so that in the operation of the'lever .to

unlock the covers the back of the operator is toward and adjacent to the running board .I2

rather than toward and adjacent to the veaves z I4. By this arrangement of the shaft and the in Figs. l. and 2, it may be fastened in such pobetween and'secured to adjacent hatch frames Alever absolute safetyis aiorded the operator.. When the covers are in their closed 'and locked. position and the lever isin the-position shown and a latch 34 pivoted thereon and provided with the customary slot to engage the lever. Alined openings 35 and 36 pivoted member 34 ception of a seal by the locked position of the covers.

Figs. l and 2 of the drawings illustrate the hatch covers in their closed and locked position TheV relationship between the return flanges 28 of the hinge straps 24 and the downwardly inclined flange 20 at the outer edge of the hatch frames precludes upward swinging movement of the covers. In this position of the covers the eccentric relationship between the cams 30 mounted thereon is as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. covers so that they may position indicated by the provide means for the rebe swung to the open sa which by their' immember 'I6 of -the 'hatch frames except atthe' flange 2liy along the outer edge l of the hatch'frames so-that the' amount of.- fr'icf motion of the hatch outwardly inclined tion encountered in the 'covers is materially' reduced. Rotation of the shaft and cams andoutward movement ot the hatch covers continue until engagement in the member 33 and in thev which the lever is sealed in v To unlock thel hatch dot and dash Fig. 3 of the drawings.. the seal (not shown) latch member 34. disen' the collarsi25 impart a. motion'of-- and 'to th'e'-= secured. At'.

the shaft 28 and is thereby wh'il 'frame construction'.

returnlflanges v26' of the hinge straps and the outwardly? inclined flange 20 Aalong the cuter edge of the 'hatchI frames.; The `liexre'i-mavthen be locked and sealed as indicated hereinabove.

own' 'ai-diy and outwardlyl inlt -prevents' up ward' rswinging movement of the coversuntil-'they are shiftedl from the position shown in Fig. 2 'of. the vdrawings tothe position vshown in Fi'gL?? of'the drawings. Ihe mech- -anism and-mode .of .operation of the covers 40 is the same as "thatdescribed for vthe covers Il.

-It will be apparent that the'instant invention provides absolute'safetyof operation of the hatch covers and that locking-thereof` is obtained with a minimum number .of parts. Each of-the hatch -covers'fisswingable relativejtol its frame independentlyf of v the otherj'covers The operation of locking'the covers is'the'refore unaffected by variations-in the 'height'. oi the, hatch .frames above the roof. ach' ofthe covers ating precision 'of Venliipn, @trailed and 'dei connection vvitli.l covered hopper car allofitsmay advantaes' are realized. b understood,1hcw ever, that the inven- "tl is! t@ suclfabalicaticn but may in ccnncftiqnfwith refrigeracani-emersa clams in genral. It .ww .be-.apparent @hammams changes and moi'liifjlcations in the detailsof' the'invention hel clear to those sinned inthe srt. rt is intendedftherefore, that all such modifications and changes be comprehended within this inventionswhich is to be limited only by th: scope of th'e'claims appendedhereto.'

.1"111' railway! having a 190i. lngiw dinally spaced hatchesin-said' roof;- a frame secured to said roofaround'each cisaid hatches,

between i s verm er @longitudinally brackets 29 occurs. The

the hatch. covers.

en, dowriv'vsrqxygaarswafa is.'

ably mounting lever for rotating said shaft and shifting said ling said covers against upward swinging extending rotatably mounted shaft adjacent to said covers. cams mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, hinge 'straps secured to said covers, collars on said straps swingvably mounted upon said cams, a' lever secured to said shaft forimparting rotation thereto and movement of translation'to said covers transversely of said roof, and hooks on said hinge straps, said hooks being adapted to be disposed in` locking relationship with said frames 'by said movement of said covers in one direction to prevent upward swinging of said 'covers and in unlocked position by said movement of said covers in the opposite direction to permit upward swinging of said vcovers. A

2. In a railway car having a roof, longitudinally spaced hatches in said roof, a frame secured to said roof around each of said hatches, a cover for each of said frames, a longitudinally. extending rotatably mounted shaft adjacent to said covers, cams mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, hinge straps secured to said covers,

collars on said straps swingably mounted upon said cams, means for rotating said shaft and shifting said covers transversely of said roof, and means on said hingestraps adapted to lock g said covers against upward swinging movement when said covers are shifted in one direction, said covers being unlocked for upwardswinging movement when shifted in the opposite direction.

3. In a railway car having a roof, longitudinally spaced hatches in said roof, a frame secured to said roof around each of said hatches, a cover for each of said frames, a longitudinally extending rotatably mounted shaft adjacent to said covers, cams mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, hinge straps secured to said covers, collars on said straps swingably mounted upon said cams, means for rotating said shaft and shifting said covers transversely of said roof, and means for flocking said covers against upward swinging movement, said locking means being moved to locking position by .the shifting of said covers in one direction, said locking means being unlocked by the shifting of said covers in the opposite direction to permit upward swinging movement of said covers.

4. In a railway car having a roof, longitudinally spaced hatches in said roof located between the running board and the eaves of said roof, a frame secured to said roof around each of said hatches, a cover for each of said frames, a longitudinally extending rotatably mounted shaft disposed between said covers and said .running board. cams mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, means swingably mounting said covers upon said cams, a lever secured to said shaft and extending toward the eaves of the roof for rotatingl said shaft and shifting said covers transversely of vsaid roof, and means responsive to the shifting of said covers for locking said covers against upward swinging movement and unlockingxsaid covers for upward swinging movement.

5.In a railway car having a roof, longitudinally spaced hatches in said roof, a frame secured to said roof around each of said hatches, a cover for each of said frames, a longitudinally extending rotatably mounted shaft, cams mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, means swingsaid covers upon said cams, a

covers transversely of said roof, and means responsive to the shifting of said covers for lockmovefor upward flanges on said coversgsaid cover flanges being adapted to be disposed under said flanges on said frames to lock said covers against upward swinging movement when said covers are" shifted in one direction, said cover'ilanges being 'adapted to be disengaged from said anges-on said frames to unlock said covers for upward swinging movement when said covers are shifted in the opposite direction.

7. In a railway car .having a `roof, spaced hatches in said roof, a frame secured to said roof around each of said hatches, flanges on said frames, a cover for eachof said frames, a rotatably mounted shaft, cams mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, means swingably mounting said covers upon said cams, a lever for rotating said shaft and shifting said covers. and hooks on the free edges of said covers, said hooks being adapted to be disposed under said nanges on said frames to lock said covers against upward swinging movement and disengaged from said flanges on said frames to unlock said covers for upward swinging movement upon shifting of said covers.

8. In a. railway car having a roof, spaced hatches in said roof, a frame secured to said roof around each of said hatches, anges on said frames, a cover for each of said frames, a rotatably mounted shaft, cams mounted on said shaft 40 for rotation therewith, means swingably mounthooks, said hooks being adapted to be disposed under said flanges on said frames to lock said covers against upward swinging movement and disengaged from said flanges on said frames to unlock said covers for upward swinging movement upon shifting of said covers.

9. In a. railway car having a roof, spaced hatches in said roof, a frame secured to said roof around each of said hatches, a cover for each of said frames, a rotatably mounted shaft adJacent to said covers, means connecting said shaft and said covers, said means being connected to said shaft for rotation therewith and said covers being swingably mounted upon said means in such a way that rotation of said shaft imparts movement of translation to said covers, and locking means on said covers, said locking means being moved to locking position to prevent upward swinging of said covers upon movement of said covers in one direction and to unlocking position toA permit upward swinging of said covers when said covers are moved in the opposite direction.

10. In combination, a hatch cover adapted to be supported upon a frame secured around a hatch, a rotatably mounted shaft, cams mountedon said shaft for rotation therewith, means swingaiilyxmounting said cover upon said cams, a lever for rotating said shaft and shifting said cover, and one or more hooks on the free edge of said cover, said hooks being adapted to lock said cover against upward swinging movement when said cover is shifted in one direction, and

having a roof, spaced to unlock said cover to permit upward swinging vmovement thereof when said cover is shifted in the opposite direction.

11. In combination, a hatch cover adapted to be supported upon a frame secured'around a 5 hatch, a rotatably mounted shaft, cams mounted .on said shaft for rotation therewith, means 12. A cover forhatches adapted to be supper ed for swinging movement upon a frame secun around a hatch, said cover comprising a boi portion and depending flanges around the perin eter of said body portion, one of said anges b ing in1 the form of a hook adapted to lock sa cover against swinging movement.

13. A cover for hatches adapted 4to be sul ported for swinging' movement upon a fran secured around, a hatch, said cover having o1 or more hinge straps secured thereto, said stra; having collarson one end adapted to mount sa cover for swinging movement, and having hooi shaped portions on the other end adapted to lo said cover against swinging movement.

, FRANK 'DITCHFIELQ 

